RCMP investigating money allegedly missing from Municipality of Victoria County

Shown above is an exterior views of the Baddeck Courthouse. The RCMP is investigating alleged missing money from the building. - Jeremy Fraser

BADDECK, N.S. — The RCMP is investigating alleged missing money from the Municipality of Victoria County.

The investigation, which is being led by the Victoria District RCMP, began on Sept. 12 after money was reported missing from the Baddeck Courthouse on Chebucto Street.

Dal Hutchinson, spokesperson for the RCMP, confirmed the investigation was taking place but couldn’t provide the specifics of the investigation as no charges have been laid at this point and the information is protected.

Victoria County Warden Bruce Morrison couldn’t confirm how much money was alleged to have been taken from the courthouse because of the ongoing investigation.

“A small amount of money was missing from one of our offices inside the building, it was a daily deposit, and it went missing — we haven’t recovered it,” said Morrison. “We can’t disclose that because it could have a negative impact as it’s an ongoing investigation.”

The Baddeck Courthouse was constructed in the 1880s, long before security cameras and alarm systems had been invented.

Since the incident, the municipality has installed a camera that records the comings and goings at the buildings main doors, as well as the financial interactions at the tax office window. An alarm system protects in entire building.

“The age of the building itself, it’s been here a long time and it’s really bringing this building up to the standard that most public buildings are today,” said Morrison.

“I think (the security system) provides security for our staff…it’s a safeguard to prevent a similar incident from happening again.”

Morrison has been with the municipality for more than 20 years. He said this was the first incident of alleged missing money over that time period.

“It’s a pretty safe community to live in and this type of thing is not very common,” said Morrison. “Unfortunately, it happened at this location this time, but as a result we’ve made some of those changes that will prevent it from happening again.

“It’s probably disappointing that it happened — it’s an unfortunate incident, for sure.”

jeremy.fraser@cbpost.com

Twitter: @CBPost_Jeremy

Alleged missing money:

• RCMP started its investigation of alleged missing money from the Municipality of Victoria County on Sept. 12.

• The incident occurred at the Baddeck Courthouse on Chebucto Street in Baddeck.

• Staff discovered some cash missing from inside the building in a daily deposit that had not been taken to the bank at the time

• The amount alleged to have been taken has not been confirmed, however the municipality says it was a “small amount”

• Since the incident, the municipality has installed cameras at the courthouse. An alarm system protects the entire building